Norfolk, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norfolk, Virginia had a total population of 233,596, the 4th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $66,109, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Norfolk is the 4th largest city in Virginia with a population of 233,596.
Norfolk Quick Facts
How Norfolk Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 233,596 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $66,109 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $271,900 | $289,900 | +6.6% |
How Norfolk Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Norfolk Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Norfolk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 229,359 | $64,587 | $353,000 | 45.6% | 18.2% |
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | 36.9% | 9.4% |
| Newport News | 184,216 | $69,634 | $260,600 | 30.6% | 14.5% |
| Arlington | 236,254 | $142,114 | $895,000 | 77.1% | 7.4% |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | 28.5% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Norfolk is a major urban center located in Virginia. The total population is 233,596. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norfolk is 32.7 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Norfolk is $66,109. This is 29% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $289,900. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Norfolk is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.9% vs 18.3%).
Education
33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norfolk, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Norfolk, Virginia?
Norfolk, Virginia has a population of 233,596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norfolk, VA?
The median household income in Norfolk is $66,109, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norfolk, VA?
The poverty rate in Norfolk is 16.5%. This means approximately 35,319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norfolk, Virginia?
Norfolk's population is 41.2% White, 38.9% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norfolk, VA?
The median home value in Norfolk is $289,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Norfolk, Virginia?
33.5% of adults (25+) in Norfolk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.